Baylor Bears

Baylor University is a private, Baptist-affiliated research university located in Waco, Texas. It is the largest Baptist university in the world by enrollment. Founded in 1845, Baylor is the oldest university in Texas operating under its original name. Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools.

The Baylor University campus is located just southeast of downtown Waco, roughly bounded by IH-35, Lasalle Avenue, Eighth Street and the Brazos River.

The university is known for its programs in business, law, music, and theology. Bachelor's, master's, doctorate and professional degrees are offered through eleven degree-granting academic units.

Alma mater
Baylor University's alma mater is That Good Old Baylor Line. In 1906 a student penned humorous words to the tune of "In the Good Old Summer Time" and they became generally accepted among the student body as the school song. However, in 1931, Mrs. Enid Eastland Markham, wife of music professor Robert Markham, feeling the words were not dignified enough nor representative of the total University, wrote new lyrics which were presented in chapel in November and soon sanctioned as the official school song. The "Good Old Summer Time" tune was later arranged to fit Mrs. Markham's "Baylor Line" through the work of Jack Goode, Donald I. Moore and Charles F. Brown.

That Good Old Baylor Line,
That Good Old Baylor Line,
We'll march forever down the years,
As long as stars shall shine.
We'll fling our Green and Gold afar
To light the ways of time,
And guide us as we onward go:
That Good Old Baylor Line!

Baylor's men's sports teams are nicknamed the Bears, and the women's teams are nicknamed the Lady Bears. Student athletes participate in the NCAA's Division I. Baylor is the only private school in the Big 12 Conference. Prior to joining the Big 12, Baylor was a member of the Southwest Conference from the conference's charter in 1914 until its dissolution in 1996. Baylor has carried over its rivalries from the now-defunct Southwest Conference, the most important of which are with Texas A&M University and with the University of Texas at Austin.

Baylor has won two NCAA titles. In 2004, the men's tennis team defeated UCLA in the championship game. In 2005, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat Michigan State in the championship game

The school mascot is the American black bear. There are currently two live bears, nicknamed "Joy" and "Lady", and both of them live in a habitat on campus.

The first live bear was donated by local businessman Herbert E. Mayr in 1917 after winning the bear in a poker game[citation needed] with members of the 107th Engineer Battalion. Mayr had kept a bear cub as a pet and was often seen walking the cub near "The Circle" in Waco before he donated the animal to Baylor University. The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce is responsible for all aspects of the program including care, facility upkeep, and training. Currently there are two American black bears on campus named Judge Joy Reynolds and Judge Sue Sloan; students affectionately refer to them as Joy and Lady.

The university recently finished renovation of the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat, a $1 million facility which includes a 13-foot waterfall, 3 pools, 2 dens, grass, and eye-level viewing. The facility is a USDA licensed Class C Zoo and is held to the same standards as any other zoological exhibit. Visitors can see the bears up close and learn more about North American black bears. The bear habitat is a favorite spot for visitors and students of all ages.

Fight song
Old Fite
Bear down you Baylor Bears, we're all for you, GO BEARS!
Show dear old Baylor spirit through and through
Fight them with all your might, you Bruins bold
And win all our victories for the Green and Gold.
B
A
Y
L
O
R
Baylor-Bears-Fight
Fight them with all your might, you Bruins bold
And win all our victories for the Green and Gold.
B-A-Y-L-O-R, Baylor Bears Fight.